Antenna support tower and method of erecting and operating same



July 14, 1953 Filed July 6. 1950 R. E. FRUSHOUR ANTENNA SUPPORT TOWERAND METHOD OF ERECTING OPERATING SAME 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 14, 1953 R.E. FRUSHOUR ANTENNA SUPPORT TOWER AND METHOD 0F ERECTING AND OPERATINGSAME 4 Filed July 6,. 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet. 2

INVENTOR.

I, 15/ 9116 an I l July 14, 1953 Filed July 6, 1950 aa g 92 R. FRUSHOURANTENNA SUPPORT TOWER AND METHOD OF ERECTING AND OPERATING SAME 4Sheets-Sheet3 94 l j a? f a? INVENTOR.

' R. E. FRUSHOUR ANTENNA ,SUPPORT'TOWER AND METHOD ,OF ERECTING ANDormm'mc SAME 4 Sheets-s 4 INVENTOR. I

' Patented July 14, 1953 ANTENNA sUePonT Towns AND METHOD OF ERECTINGAND OPERATING SAME Russel E. Frushour, South Bend, 11111., assignor toSouth Bend Lathe Works, South Bend, Ind.,

a corporation of Indiana Application July 6, 1950, Serial No. 172,220

17 Claims. 1

My invention relates to antenna support towers and the method oferecting and operating same and is particularly concerned with but notlimited to towers for television antennae.

In the present state of television broadcasting it is necessary toprovide an elevated antenna for a receiving set located more than a fewmiles from the broadcasting station or stations to which .it will betunedif satisfactory reception is to be attained. The onlytowers nowavailable for this purpose require a skilled crew to erect them and haveno provision for lowering the antenna for inspection and repair. Anelectric motor is commonly mountedon top of the tower adjacent the baseof the antenna mast ior rotating this, mast to bring its antenna intodifferent angular positions to receive more effectively the broadcastsfrom different broadcasting stations.

Whenever it becomes necessary or desirable to inspect or repair theantenna, the antenna rotating mechanism, or the leads connected witheither the antenna or its rotatingmechanism, a

man must climb the tower and effect any necessary changes or repairswhile'perched on the top thereof. "This is a hazardous procedurerequiring skill and experience beyond'that of-the ordinary householderand this service is customarily performed by a trained repairmanwhocharges steeplejack rates for climbing the tower.

The cost of installing and maintaining tele- ,vision receiving equipmentis thus greatly inan additional load which the roof was not designed tosupport and vibration of the antenna in a high wind is apt to damage theroof and create leaks therein. Furthermore, inspection and repair ofsuch an antenna isa dangerous undertaking and the act-oi walking orclimbing over a roof to effect such inspection and repair often resultsin damage to'the roof.

An object of my invention is to provide a new and improved antennasupport tower which is simple and inexpensive and may be easily erectedby one man withoutspecial training. l l

Another obiect of'my invention isto provide a new and improved antennasupport tower which may be easily operated by one man to lower theantenna for inspection or repair and thereafter return the antenna toelevated position.

Another object of my invention is to provide an antenna support towerhaving new and improved means for raising and lowering the same.

Another object of my invention is to provide a new and improved antennasupport tower having antenna rotating means which may be operated by aperson on the ground.

Another object of my invention is to provide a new and improved methodof erecting an antenna support tower or the like. Anotherobject ofmy'i-nvention is to provides.

new and improved method of lowering and raising an antenna support toweror the like.

Another object of my invention is to provide novel anchoring means foran antenna support Fig. 3 is a top perspective view on an enlarged scaleof the base plate; i 30 Fig. 4 is a perspective view on an enlargedscale of the anchoring means;

Fig. -5 is a vertical sectional view on an en,- larged scale of thelower portion of the-tower showing the sections in collapsedposition;

Fig. 6 is a continuation of Fig. 5 showing the upper portion of thetower;

Figs. '7, 8, and 9 together constitute a sectional view like that ofFigs. 5 and 6 except that the sectionsof the tower are shown in extendedposition;

10 is a partial vertical sectional view-showing the manner of erectingthe tower;

Fig. 1-4 is aperspective view of a hoist tube link;

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a bottom link; Fig. 16 is a perspectiveview showing a hoist tube link supported on a bottom tube link; and Fig.17 is a perspective view of a second form of hoist tube link.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings wherein 3 I have illustrated inerected position an antenna support tower incorporating my invention, itwill be seen that in this particular embodiment of my invention thetower has four telescopic sections A, B, C, and D. The section D isprovided with a stud E adapted to receive the mast F of a televisionantenna which maybe of any conventional or suitable type. The tower inerected position rests upon a base plate G and is held in uprightposition by guy wires indicated generally by the letter H and attachedat their lower ends to a suitable anchoring means I. A sleeve J normallysurrounds the lower end of the base section A but is movable to thedotted line position shown in Fig. l for a purpose which I shallpresently describe.

The base G is shown in Fig. 3 and comprises a triangular plate of sheetmetal or other suitable material having a cup-like depression 22centrally located therein and downwardly turned corners 24. For a towerwhich is approximately 41 feet to the base of the aerial, I have foundthat the depression 22 can be quite shallow; that is, on

the order of three-fourths of an inch, so that the plate G can bereadily pressed into the ground by merely stepping thereon.

While any suitable anchoring means may be used for the lower ends of theguy wires H, I have i found that the particular anchoring means shown 4in Fig. 4 is inexpensive, easy to drive into the ground, and especiallyeffective in supporting the tower in upright position. This anchoringmeans is indicated generally by the reference character I and comprisesa pair of pins or stakes 26 each terminating in a pointed end 28 andhaving an eye 30. These pins orstakes may be cheaply made of heavy wireor other suitable material and can be readily driven into the ground inthe angular relationship shown so that the two eyes or heads 30 areadjacent each other with the shanks of the stakes forming an inverted V.The

I are parts of a continuous cut-away view of the ,tower in collapsedposition, it will be seen that the base section A comprises an outer orbase tube 32 having a plug 34 secured in the lower end thereof by screws36 or in any other suitable manner. A collar 38 is attached to the upperend of tube 32 and has four bores 40 equidistantly spaced about itsperiphery to receive the upper ends of one set of the guy wires H. Asbest shown in Fig. 13, the tube is provided with a removable .part 42indicated in dotted lines in that figure.

This removable part is formed by cutting tube 32 along curved lines 44,diametrically opposite vertical lines 46 and horizontal line 48. Aportion of the lower end of removable part 42 is cut away as indicatedin Fig. 13 to provide a slot 53 for a purpose hereinafter explained.

Within the tube 32 is the slightly smaller tube 52 of section B having acollar 54 attached to the upper end thereof. The lower end of tube 52rests on plug 34 in the collapsed position of the tower and has across-bore 56.

The tube 58 of section C is telescoped in tube 52 and has a collar B0,and tube 62 of section D is telescoped in tube .58 and has a collar 64.An antifriction bearing 66 is interposed between the smallest tube andits collar so that this tube can rotate freely. The

shown in Figs. 7 and 16,

4 antenna receiving stud E is secured in tube 62 by bolts 68 and a lockring 10 is attached to stud E by pin 12.

It will be understood that the telescopic tubes 32, 52, 58, and 62 arefully slidable relative to each other and that a set of four guywires isattached to each of thecollars 38, 54, 63, and 64.

The stud E is of suitable size to be inserted in the lower end of anantenna mast which may be secured to the stud in any manner, forexample,

by passing bolts or cotter pins through holes 14 in stud E andcorresponding holes in the antenna mast.

The split sleeve J surrounds the lower end of the largest tube when thetower is erected and holds firmly in place removable part 42 and other Ishall now describe my novel method and means for raising and'loweringthe tower but first wish to call attention to the preliminary steps ofpressingthe base plate G into the ground by stepping thereon and drivingthe anchors into the ground in the manner heretofore described. Theanchors are arranged in a circle about the base as shown in Fig. 2. Withthe tower sections fully telescoped as shown in Figs. 5 and 6 the lowerend of the tower is inserted in cup 22 and the four guy wires attachedto collar 38 are secured to anchors I firmly to hold the collapsed towerin upright position. Sleeve J is moved to upper position and part 42 ofbase tube 32 is removed. I

A rod 82 is next inserted in the cross-bore 56 of tube 52 and raised totheposition shown in Fig. 10 therebyvraising sections B, C, and- D andthe antenna supported thereon. While holding rod 82 with one hand, theoperator inserts a hoist tube link 84 with the other. hand. This link isof the'same diameter and thickness as tube 52.

The rod 82 is lowered to permit the tube 52 to rest on link 84 whereuponrod 82 is withdrawn and inserted in cross-bore 86 in link 84. Againaged.

This step by step raising of sections B, C, and D continues untilsection B nears the upper limit of its movement. At this point the halfsection 88a of a special bottom link 88 is inserted as A complete bottomlink 88 is shown in Fig. 15 and consists of two half sections 88a and88b. This bottom link is preferably longer than the links84, and thehalf section 88a thereof is so placed in base tube 32 that the open sideof section 880. faces the openll'lg in the tube 32. The section B is nowfully extended and the guy wires attached to collar 54 are secured toanchors I to assist in holding the.

tower upright.

Next a series of links 90 (Figs. 7 and 8) are inserted. These links areidentical with links 84 except that links 90 are of the same diameter astube 58. Since this tube is held in elevated position by section B, nolifting of sections C and D occurs until enough links 90 have beeninserted an end of rod 82 may be inserted to bring the first one intoengagement with'the lower end of tube 58. As tube 58 approaches itsupper limits another half 92a of a bottom section 92 is inserted. Thebottom section 92 is like the bottom section 88 except of smallerdiameter and shorter so that the joints between links 90 are slightlyoffset with respect to the joints between links 84. The guy wires ofcollar 60 are now attached firmly to the anchors I and add additionalsupport to the tower.

A third set of links 94 is next inserted. These links are preferablymade in the form of spools by flaring out the ends of a tube to formflanges 96 of the same diameter as the outside of the small tube 62.These flanges 96 are rounded in an axial direction to facilitate slidingof the spools in tube 58 and links 95. Each link 94 has a rodreceivingcross-bore 98. Enough links 94 must be inserted to bring the topmostlink into contact with tube 62 before tenna carried thereby are raised.As section D approaches its limit, a solid cylinder 15 nserted into tube32 and half-sections 88a and 92a. This cylinder is shorter thanhalf-sections 92a whereby the joints between links 94 areoffset withrespect to the joints between the other links since links 84, iii], and94 are of the same length. The guy wires attached to the topmost collarare now made fast to the anchors I.

To complete the erection of the tower the halfsections 92b and 88?) areinserted in tube 32 in the order named and then part 42 of tube 32 isput in place. Sleeve J may now be lowered and clamp part 42, thecomplementary tightened to portion of tube 32, and the halves of links88 and 92 firmly about the cylinder I00 and add rigidity and strength tothe lower part of the tower.

Another important feature of my invention lies in the provision ofmethod and means for rotating the antenna to any desired position. Itwill be noted (Figs. 7 and 12) that slot 50 provided by the cut-awayportion of part 42 coincides with slots [62 and H14 formed by thesimilar cut-away portions of half-sections 38b and 92b respectively andthatthese slots are in horizontalalignment with the four bores I 06 ofcylinder 00. By raising sleeve J just enough to uncover these slots, ina bore and moved to turn cylinder I 00. This turning movement istransmitted through the frictional engagementoi the driving flanges 9Bof spools It will be seen from the foregoing description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings that I have provided asimpleand inexpensection D and the an- 6 be readily accomplished by aperson on the ground. Experience has shown that where the to the base ofthe antenna mast.

While I have illustrated and described a particular embodiment of myinvention in which the tower is composed of four telescopic sections, itis to be understood that my invention is not so by a single individual.

Another advantage of my novel construction and method of operation liesin the fact that it is not essential to raise a larger inner section toits maximum height before the next smaller inner section can be raised.In other words, Where it within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim: 1. A tower of the class described comprising a plurality oftelescopic sections including an end holding said inner section in.extended position, each supporting link being of such size that it canbe inserted into said outer section plurality of independent linkssupporting said inner section, said last-named links forming a columnlocated in said first-named inner section and the supporting linkstherefor, said second-named links also'being of a size for insertionthrough said opening in the outer section.

2. A tower of the class described comprising an outer section having aremovable wall part adjacent its lower end, a first inner sectiontelescoped in said outer section, a first series of independentsupporting links holding said inner section in extended position,

Of' links extending second inner section,

1 in extended position,

all of said links being of a size for insertion through said open in thebottom links or the three series being of different heights and theother links all being. of the same height whereby the joints in eachseries of links are offset from the joints in the other two series oflinks.

. 4. A tower of the class described comprising an outer section having aremovable wall part adiacent .its lower end to provide an opening, afirst inner section telescoped in said outer section, a first series ofindependent supporting links holding said inner section in extendedposition, a second inner section telescoped in said first inner section,a second series of independent supporting links holding said secondinner section in extended position, said second series of linksextending through said first series of links and into said first innersection, a third inner section telescoped in said second inner section,and a third series of independent supporting links holding said thirdinner section in extended position, all of said links being of a sizefor insertion through said opening, the bottom link of said first andsecond series being longitudinally divided into halves.

5. A tower of the class described comprising an outer section having aclosed lower end and a removable wall section immediately thereabove, aninner section slidable in said outer section, said inner section havinga lower end adapted to be engaged and lifted by a tool inserted throughan opening formed by the removal of said wall section, and a pluralityof independent links holding said inner section in elevated position,

each of said links being of a size to permit insertion and removalthrough said opening, certain of said links having means engageable by atool inserted through said opening for raising said links and said innersection.

6. A tower of the class described comprising an outer section having aremovable wall section adjacent its lower end, a first inner sectiontelescoped in said outer section, a first series of independentsupporting links holding said inner section in extended position, asecond inner section telescoped in said first inner section, a secondseries of independent said second inner section in extended position,said second series of links extending through said first series of linksand into said first inner section, a third inner section telescoped insaid a third series of independent supporting links holding said thirdinner section all of said links being of a size for insertion through anopening formed by the removal of said wall section, and means forrotating said third series of links and the inner section supportedthereon.

'7. A tower of the class described comprising an outer section having aremovable wall part to provide an opening adjacent its lower end, afirst inner section telescoped in said outer secsupporting links holdingtion in extended position,

tion, a first series of independent supporting links holding said innersection in extended position, a second inner section telescoped in saidfirst inner section, a second series of independent supporting linksholding said second inner secsaid second series of links extendingthrough said first series of links and into said first inner section, athird inner section telescopedin said second inner section, a thirdseries of independent supporting links holding said third inner sectionin extended position, all of said links being of a size for insertionthrough said opening, the bottom links of the three series being ofdifferent heights and the other links all being of the same heightwhereby the joints in each series of links are offset from the joints inthe other two series of links, and, a sleeve slidable on said outersection to hold said removable part in said opening when said sleeve isin one position and to permit removal of said removable part when saidsleeve is in a different position.

8. A tower of the class described comprising an outer section having aremovable wall part adjacent its lower end, a first inner sectiontelescoped in said outer section, a first series of independentsupporting links holding said inner section in extended position, asecond inner section telescoped in said first inner section, a secondseries of independent supporting links holding said second inner sectionin extended position, said second series of links extending through saidfirst series of links and into said first inner section, a third innersection telescoped in said second inner section, and a third series ofindependent supporting links holding said third inner section inextended position, all of said links being of a size for insertionthrough an opening formed by the removal of said wall part, the bottomlink of said first and second series being longitudinally divided intohalves, the bottom link of said third series being solid, and a sleevefor encircling and compressing said part and said half links about saidsolid link.

9..A tower of the class described comprising an outer section having aremovable wall part adjacent its lower end, a first inner sectiontelescoped in said outer section, a first series of independentsupporting links holding said inner section in extended position, asecond inner section telescoped in said first inner section, a secondseries of independent supporting links holding said second inner sectionin extended position, said second series of links extending through saidfirst series of links and into said first inner section, a third innersection telescoped in said second inner section, and a third series ofindependent supporting links holding said third inner section inextended position, all of said links beingof a size for insertionthrough an opening formed by the removal of said wall part, the links ofsaid'third series being in the form of spools.

10. A tower of the class described comprising an outer section having aremovable wall section adjacent its lower end, a first inner sectiontelescoped in said outer section, a first series of independentsupporting links holding said inner section in extended position, asecond inner section telescoped in said first inner section, a secondseries of independent supporting links holding said second inner sectionin extended position, said second series of links extending through saidfirst series of links and into said first inner section, a third innersection telescoped in said second inner supporting described comprisingopening adjacent its lower end, a first inner section telescoped in saidouter section, a first series of independent supporting links holdingsaid inner section in extended position, a second inner sectiontelescoped in said first inner section, a second series of independentsupporting links holding said second inner section in extended position,said second series of links extending through said first series of linksand into said first inner section, a third inner section telescoped insaid second inner section, and a third series of independent supportinglinks holding said third inner section in extended position, all of saidlinks being of a size for insertion through said opening, the bottomlink in the first and second series being longitudinally divided intohalves and having a horizontal slot, and means extending through saidslot to engage and rotate said third series of links and the sectionsupported thereon.

12. A tower composed of an outer section and a plurality of innersections in telescopic relasection, each supporting column comprising aplurality of independent links, said outer section having an openingadjacent its base through which said links may be inserted and removed.

13. A tower composed of an outer section and a plurality of innersections in telescopic relaa supporting column for each inner section,each supporting column comprising a plurality of independent links, saidouter section having an opening adjacent its base through and means forrotating the innermost column and inner section supported thereonwithout rotating the remainder of the tower.

14. That method of extending a tower composed of telescopic sectionswhich comprises the steps of raising an inner section, laterallyinserting a supporting member therebeneath, lowering the raised sectioninto engagement with the inserted member, raising the inserted member,laterally inserting a second member therebeneath,

of links are offset in the other a supporting column for each innerv ingmembers for a V which sald links may be inserted and removed, I

v ber therebeneath,

and lowering the raised member into engagement with the last insertedmember.

15. That method of extending a tower consisting of several telescopicmembers which includes raising the second largest section, insertinglatlowering the first inserted member into engagement with the lastinserted member, repeating the last two steps until the second largestsection has been raised to the desired elevation, and inserting throughthe largest section and the lowermost supporting member of the secondlargest section a plurality of supportsmaller section.

RUSSEL E. FRUSHOUR.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

